East Midlands Hotspots for Noise Nuisance Complaints [Infographic]
Our newly commissioned research has revealed there were more than 19,800 noise nuisance complaints across the East Midlands last year with some surprising areas topping the noisy neighbourhood chart.
We’re using the to data to create national noise nuisance map of the UK. We work with many local authorities and housing associations, which have to deal with the complaints daily about noise nuisance. They have a duty to investigate each allegation, see if there is any substance, gather evidence and then take action. What one person thinks is acceptable could drive someone else crazy so noise enforcement teams have a difficult job at the best of times.
Previous Studies:
Noise Nuisance Complaints Map [Infographic]
- LOUDEST: Compiled via Freedom of Information requests from local authorities, the statistics put Bolsover district top of the noisy neighbour poll with 831 complaints over the 12 months covering a population of around 75,800 – the equivalent of approximately 11 complaints per 1,000 head
- Ashfield district came a close second with 1180 complaints within a population of around 123,500 – the equivalent of 9.5 complaints per 1,000
- Wellingborough came in third with 470 complaints within a population of just over 59,000 or 8 complaints per 1,000
- QUIETEST: Surprisingly, Nottingham city with 614 complaints across the year in a population of just under 319,000 – a tiny 1.9 per 1,000 residents
The vast majority of issues logged related to noisy neighbours, shouting or playing loud music in the home, followed by barking dogs and then commercial premises.
We conducted our research based on complaints per 1,000 population to get a more accurate picture so whilst on paper Ashfield received more complaints than Bolsover, it has a much larger population so that has to be taken into account to get a true picture.”
We also asked how many of those complaints ended up being prosecuted or convicted – with only a handful of cases ended up in court across the whole of the region. The vast majority were resolved using mediation or warnings.
The total number of complaints for the whole of the East Midlands came in at 19,850 for 2016 – significantly lower than both Yorkshire and the North West where similar FIO surveys were carried out the previous years and logged 40,662 and 39,960 respectively.
Resolving Noise Nuisance Complaints
We work with many local authorities and housing associations across the UK. We know what a difficult job they face in terms of investigating and gathering any evidence. What one person thinks is acceptable could drive someone else crazy, so noise enforcement teams have fine line to tread.
People are now much more aware of their rights and more likely to complain rather than grin and bear it. Elderly people are more likely to complain as they spend more time indoors. Also, with more homes now having wooden or laminate floors, as well as wall-mounted TVs, we are seeing more domestic complaints as there is less to insulate the noise within the home.
We have spoken to numerous noise enforcement officers over recent months who currently use our TrojanLITE and Trojan2 Noise Nuisance Recorders as part of their everyday technology arsenal for monitoring noise nuisance. With their help, we have compiled this 6 step guide to help local authorities to resolve noise nuisance complaints.
Jaymee-lee Tolliday
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